Joanne Eley

Practice
Joanne Eley was called to the Bar in 1997 and joined Chambers in 2007, having previously practiced at a Chambers in Chelmsford.

She practices on the South Eastern Circuit, predominantly in East Anglia.  She is an experienced practitioner, specialising in all areas of Crime, prosecuting and defending serious criminal matters in equal measure.

Joanne Eley has extensive experience of drugs conspiracies, attempted murder, violence and dishonesty. She also has experience of dealing with offences involving child cruelty, in particular cases of serious injury and neglect.  Her practice focuses heavily on serious sexual offences, including rape and sexual offences involving children.  She is frequently instructed in both contemporary and historic sexual allegations. 

She has particular expertise in cases involving mentally disordered defendants and children.  These cases requiring a particularly sensitive approach.

Joanne Eley has led Junior Counsel in a drugs conspiracy and is currently leading Junior Counsel in a case involving allegations of historic sexual abuse over a period of 30 years.

In the past she has been instructed as Junior Counsel in serious cases of fraud.

Notable Cases

R. v. Sochacki & Bryll
Prosecuted the defendant’s for being involved in the management of a brothel.  Leave granted to Sochacki to appeal, conviction upheld by the Court of Appeal.

R. v. Garlam Sakhi
Successfully prosecuted a taxi driver for sexually assaulting young female customer.

R. v. Kyle Irvine
Defence counsel, defendant acquitted of rape of a child.

R.v Ling and Clark
Successfully prosecuted trial alleging high value burglaries of antiques from rural homes over a 2 year period.

R. v. P
Defence counsel in case alleging serious child cruelty involving bilateral fractures to the skull following shaking a baby.  Avoided immediate term of imprisonment, due to circumstances of the case.

R. v. Daniel Fiddes
Defence Counsel, the defendant prosecuted for his involvement in 3 interlinked conspiracies to steal goods, worth in excess of £400,000.  (prosecuted by Greg Perrins).

R.v. Gary Mills
Successfully prosecuted defendant charged with numerous offences concerning the supply of Class A Drugs.

R.v Payne
Defence Counsel in high profile case involving prison Officer sexually abusing Young Offender under his care at Warren Hill in Suffolk (prosecuted by John Farmer).

R.v Christopher Murray
Successfully defended allegation of G.B.H on the grounds of self defence.

R v. S
Successfully defended allegation that the defendant sexually assaulted a young child.

R. v. Keegan McCarville

Defence Counsel in case involving allegations of child cruelty, significant injuries to baby.

R. v Joshua Ashton
Defence Counsel, defendant acquitted of robbery.

Court of Appeal, Criminal Division
Michael Dare - Successfully argued a reduction in the minimum term for knife point robbery following the imposition of a sentence for Public Protection.

R v. Mills
Successfully prosecuted a taxi driver for sexually assaulting a customer in her own home.

R v. B – Ipswich Crown Court
Defendant acquitted of child cruelty.

R v. Rouse
Successfully defended allegations of sexual abuse and rape of a child.

R.v. Leon
Defended young man with serious mental health issues who had sexually abused young female.

R.v Grainger
Defence Counsel in case of attempted murder, successfully argued determinate sentence.

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